100+ new releases today, and the list is ready!!! Great recommendations in our list, too, and I’m almost finished one of the new releases (so I’ll be reviewing shortly). And of course I highlighted a bunch that look extra good to me, to help you sort through ‘em.

Fabi: I’m just merrily one-clicking away. I think I got 4-5 from above…

Cheryl: Wow, what a list Maryse!! I want them all. I’m also eyeing Full Tilt since All In releases tomorrow. Just can’t decide.

Okay and… what looks extra good to me? (The blurb-jolt list):Four Letter Word (from the recommendations because our fellow readers mention a KA feel which I’m ALWAYS looking for), Sundered (a new release “re-release” but OMG that premise!!! A couple just trying to have a baby and that take a drug to speed things up… and then OMG!!!!!!), All In (I LOVED book #1, and I’m almost done this one, and it’s a heart-tugger for sure!), Small Great Things (I have yet to read a Jodi Picoult book, but so many of my reader friends LOVE her poignant, deep stories, and this one sounds ALL OF THAT), The Tutor (He’s a total recluse – albeit famous and revered, and she’s an author with a side job to make ends meet. He hires her to help him with his… *ahem* needs, and all hell breaks loose when he makes a public appearance with her).

P.S. Let me know if I’m missing any or if you loved any (from this list or elsewhere).

BARGAINS & READER RECOMMENDATIONS (NOTE: bargain priced when I added them, but prices can change on Amazon, so make sure to check before you finalize your order. Sales listed are for Amazon U.S., however some of the Amazon UK links also reflect the sale!):

Four Letter Word (Dirty Deeds) by J. Daniels <— RECENT RELEASE WITH A KA-LIKE HERO ALERT! Lisa is reading it and enjoying it! “Im reading Four Letter Word. The H Brian could have stepped straight out of a KA book.” YAY!!!! This is gooooooood to know! (and here is the UK version)

Melinda: Lisa I loved four letter word. Such a great book . Very similar to KA.

fugly (The Fugly Series Book 1) by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff <— SHE’S CONSIDERED UNATTRACTIVE… & IT’S STILL ON SUPER-BARGAIN TODAY, ’cause book #2 was just released (below) and both can be read as standalones! (UK version)

Offside by Shay Savage <— HE’S A JERK AND YOU’LL HATE HIM…. but Leslie was surprised by this one! “I’m reading an “oldie” (only two years old, but not a new release) for a TBR challenge. Offside by Shay Savage. I’m almost finished and I really like it. It’s one of those “H starts off like a jerk and you hate him, but then he makes you fall for him” stories. It has actually made me tear up a few times too. I almost DNF’d it but am glad I didn’t as story turned out way different then I thought.“

Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward <— PENELOPE WARD SUPER RARE SUPER-BARGAIN ALERT!!!!! Still on super-sale today!! Leslie M SAYS WE MUST READ IT NOW!!! “Ok, those who haven’t read Stepbrother Dearest…READ IT NOW PEOPLE!!! I almost never 5* anything and I loved this one. It wasn’t what I was expecting in a good way. I don’t want to say too much & spoil….but it’s not a cheesey, trashy, clichéd stepbro story (I think cover & blurb are misleading). It’s a swoony, emotional, grown up romance. Only the beginning of story is when they are teens. This is my kind of love story!!!” (P.S. Here is the UK version)

Beautiful Series by Christina Lauren <— Bringing this one back again because so many in our reading crew absolutely LOVES it (and the final release in the series that just came out)!

Grey: Beautiful… What can I say? I sappy cried through the last epilogues…yes, I said epilogueS. I enjoyed the book, but adored the epilogues. It felt like coming home. The Beautiful Series is one of my very favorite series ever…so this is very bittersweet for me, knowing it’s the end of an era now. The writing team of Christina Lauren are such a package of awesome, wrapped in amazing and heavily dusted in fairy glitter. They’re like a unicorn… The way they write so seemlessly together, it’s truly magical. I’m going to miss this cast of characters something fierce. The ending for our Bastard, Bitch, Player, Stranger, Secret, Beginning, Beloved, Bombshell, Boss and yes, Beautiful… Was, well, it was poignant, a true full circle. If you haven’t read this series and enjoy well-written new adult stories with a healthy dose of humor, complex characters, hot smut and some angst…look no further! Beautiful (the book) gets 4.5 stars for the beginning and the ending alone. I really enjoyed the seamless integration of past characters into Jensen and Pippa’s story while giving them a tale of their own. Definitely not a standalone!!! I sense a book hangover coming on!

Cheryl: Grey I LOVED Beautiful too. The epilogues were the best part; tied up the entire series with a beautiful bow!! Will and Hanna were my favs too!! Also, loved Bennett and Chloe who I first read about when it was a twilight fanfiction and the characters were Edward and Bella!!

Jan: Yeah Grey and Cheryl, the Beautiful series is one of my favs too. So well-written and involving. And Will and Hanna are still my favs too, altho Jensen and Pippa in the final book do make a great pair. Can’t wait to see what the Christina Lauren duo do next. I liked their other series OK (Wild Seasons) but for me it wasn’t anywhere near as good as the Beautiful ones.

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta <— THIS AUTHOR JUST RELEASED A NEW BOOK (below) and SO MANY HERE loved THIS one!

bev: I love Jellicoe Road. I just fell into that book. It had tropes I enjoy like boarding school, a, to me, foreign country, strong side characters, and making your own family. I thought the writing was fabulous and great heroine. And if I’d really thought about it I should of been all…….TESSA! READ THIS!

DG: Just finished reading Until Harry by L.A. Casey…and I LOVED it! Definite 4.5 stars for me…some parts were a little watery, emotional but sooo worth the ride. I normally don’t read a lot of second chance romance but yeah, this one I really, REALLY loved! Lots of alpha males in this one…overprotective uncle, father, brothers…and best friend. Sometimes a girl just needs protecting…even if she doesn’t want it. ****a DG recommended gotta read****

Evelyn, After: A Novel by Victoria Helen Stone <— PSYCH-THRILLER ALERT! AND It’s the #1 Kindle book on all of Amazon right now! I loved and reviewed it, and Denise TOTALLY LOVED it too! YAY!!!! “Thank you for recommending this book!!!! Absolutely amazing. Couldn’t put it down. Loved it. It was exactly what I needed. I want more books like this that just consume me. Any more recommendations? Pretty please ” (P.S. Here is the UK version)

Maryse: YAY!!! I’m so glad, Denise. Thank you for letting me know. And you bet!!! I’m on a kick of this genre.

Sundered (Anniversary Edition) (The Nevermore Trilogy Book 1) by Shannon Mayer <— *RE-RELEASE BUT THIS ONE SOUNDS AWESOME!! THEY TAKE A SPECIAL DRUG TO AID IN HAVING A BABY… “I thought life with my adoring husband was finally moving in the right direction. We had an idyllic home, friends, and plans for a future together. The only thing missing, was the child we both so desperately wanted. Hope came in the form of a single medical miracle. Yet the drug was not as it seemed and instead of healing, it beget a world of monsters…” The author states: “*RE-RELEASE: The Nevermore Trilogy” Anniversary Edition. Now a full length novel. Brand new scenes, additional points of view and 35K extra words all breathe new life into the first series ever published by USA Today Bestselling Author Shannon Mayer.* (here it is on Amazon UK)

All In (Full Tilt Book 2) by Emma Scott <— EMMA SCOTT ALERT! I’M READING THIS ONE RIGHT NOW!!! Poignant!! P.S. I suggest HIGHLY that you read Full Tilt right away if you haven’t (that’s book #1)!!!! It’s a complete book, except I realized “All In” is DEFINITELY a sequel and you must NOT read the blurb or even that book, until you’ve read #1. Mind you, if anyone stumbles on #2 first and reads it, they’ll still be able to follow… it’s just much more poignant after experiencing #1. P.S. Here’s my 5-star review of Book #1 (Full Tilt) And Celeste agrees! (P.S. Here it is on Amazon UK)

Celeste: “I just finished All In. I’ll just copy and paste my comment I posted on Emma Scott’s Facebook page – that kind of sums it up for me, lol.

Oh my God. I’m not sure whether to be mad at you, or if I should be professing serious love for you. I feel so melodramatic in saying this, but oh well, here it goes, anyway. You completely destroyed me. Took me apart, systematically, by pieces. But then you rebuilt me… So I think it’s love. Thank you for this story. Thank you so much.”

The Fix Up by Kendall Ryan <— SHE STARTS WORKING WITH HER ALPHA-MALE FRIEND… “When we start working together, that’s when the sexual tension between us gets so thick, I want to hack through it with a machete. I want to make all these deep feelings I’ve harbored for him disappear, because there’s no way this can end well. The lines between business and pleasure become irrevocably blurred...” (here it is on Amazon UK)

The Virgin Cowboy (Cowboys & Virgins Book 4) by Alexa Riley <— ALEXA RILEY HILARIOUS WARNING ALERT! “Warning: This short story is packed full of big hair, big attitude, and big curves. Dolly holds her own, but the hero always ends up on top. *slow wink* Grab your boots and cowboy hat… We’ve got a couple of cherries to pop!” (here it is on Amazon UK)

Down Deep (Going Deep Book 1) by Virna DePaul <— FOOTBALL STAR THAT ONCE HUMILIATED HER ALERT! “He was also Camille Pollert’s first crush. But then he humiliated her at a high school football game, and while she got her revenge, she also closed off her heart. Ten years later, Camille is a football photographer and single mother, and her old crush returns with a vengeance when she sees Heath again…” (here it is on Amazon UK)

Going Down Fast (Billionaire Bad Boys Book 2) by Carly Phillips <— HER CHILDHOOD BEST FRIEND IS A BILLIONAIRE… “When Maxie Sullivan finds herself in dire straights, the only man she can turn to is the one she’s always secretly loved: her childhood best friend…” (here it is on Amazon UK)

it’s a fugly life (The Fugly Series Book 2) by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff <— THE CONTINUATION TO BOOK #1 (but author says they can both be read as standalones). She’s had surgery and now she’s caught in a love triangle! “One car wreck, three reconstructive surgeries, and some unexpected money have changed my life. I’ve started my own company, I’ve finally learned to like myself–not love, but like (hey, it’s a journey)–and I’ve met a wonderful new man who’s helped me put Max in the past where he belongs. There’s only one problem: After six long months, Maxwell Cole is back, asking for the one thing I can’t give him. And he’s not taking no for an answer…” (here it is on Amazon UK)

Patchwhore by Kim Jones <— KIM JONES BIKER BOOK!!! Her biker boyfriend (husband?) cheated on her, and broke her heart. “After months of heartache and loss, anger ensued. Rage replaced sadness. Fury took over heartache. Revenge became irresistible. Now he’ll feel what I felt. One by one, his brothers will take his place in my bed. They have a name for me in the MC world… PATCHWHORE. And this is my story.“ (and here it is on Amazon UK)

The Player by Claire Contreras <— HE’S A SOCCER STAR!!! ”She thinks our worlds are too different. All I want her to think about is screaming my name. She says I’m bad news. I have three weeks to prove her wrong…“ (here it is on Amazon UK)

Pucked Under (The Pucked Series Book 5) by Helena Hunting <— HELENA HUNTING HOCKEY STARS ALERT! “With the off-season coming to a close and the boys gearing up for training camp, one more weekend of fun is the perfect way to welcome the new season. The entire crew piles into vehicles and drives to Alex and Violet’s Chicago cottage for a few days of relaxation―and hopefully a chance for Randy to shake the anxiety that’s been plaguing him…“ (and here it is on Amazon UK)

Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil by Melina Marchetta <— FROM THE AUTHOR OF Jellicoe Road ALERT!! So many LOVE this author, right here in our crew, and here is her latest book! “When Bish Ortley, a suspended cop, receives word that a bus carrying his daughter has been bombed, he rushes to be by her side. A suspect has already been singled out: a 17-year-old girl who has since disappeared from the scene. The press has now revealed that she is the youngest member of one of London’s most notorious families…” (here it is on Amazon UK)

Small Great Things: A Novel by Jodi Picoult <— JODI PICOULT’S LATEST BOOK!!! “Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years’ experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she’s been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don’t want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene?“

Beard Science (Winston Brothers Book 3) by Penny Reid <— PENNY REID COMEDY ROMANCE ALERT!! “Ever the perpetual good girl and obedient daughter, Jennifer is buckling under the weight of her social media celebrity, her mother’s ambitions, and her father’s puritanical mandates. Jennifer is officially desperate. And desperate times call for Cletus Winston.” (and here it is on Amazon UK)

Bound to Submit (Blasphemy) by Laura Kaye <— A DOM BROKE HER HEART & SHE’S LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO SUBMIT TO… “…the Dom she wants once refused her submission and broke her heart, but, scarred on the inside and out, she’s not looking for love this time. She’s not even sure she’s capable. Griffin Hudson is haunted by the mistakes that cost him the only woman he ever loved. Now she’s back at his BDSM club” (and here it is on Amazon UK)

A Royal Christmas Princess by Scarlet Wilson <— SHE JUST FOUND OUT SHE’S A PRINCESS ALERT! “After a tough year losing her mom and bills mounting, Holly Yates is in for a lonely Christmas. But when she hears a news report that the small principality of Coronia is looking for their lost princess, she recognizes her baby photo on the news and is astounded…” (here it is on Amazon UK)

The Tutor by K.D. Grace <— SHE’S A SEX TUTOR & HE’S A RECLUSE THAT CAN’T STAND TO BE TOUCHED ALERT! Oh this DOES sound gooooood!!! “Struggling writer Kelly Blake has a secret life as a sex tutor—it pays the bills. Celebrated sculptor and recluse Alexander ‘Lex’ Valentine can’t stand to be touched. When he seeks out Kelly’s advice incognito for what he sees as his ‘self-abuse problem’, the results are too hot to handle. Kelly terminates their sessions due to her unprofessional behavior, and Lex takes a huge risk, revealing his identity to her at a gala exhibition, his first ever public appearance. After Kelly helps the severely haphephobic Lex escape the grope of reporters and paparazzi, rumors fly that the two are engaged...” (here it is on Amazon UK)

Lilac Sand by Tara Cignarella <— SHE ACCIDENTALLY MEETS A ROCK STAR ALERT! “One night at a crowded party she heads outside for solitude, but she will not be alone for long. Frederick Rhoades, lead singer of a world famous New Jersey band sits beside her. A chance meeting brought on by her need to get away from people leads to her finding the one person she always wants to be with…” (and here it is on Amazon UK)

I’m also in for our buddy read… I started it (only first chapter though) and I found the discourse and inner-monologue a bit… er… “flighty” and not so serious (maybe even a touch of a silly-feel), but I think it will settle in soon enough.

I had no idea Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil was written by the same author of Jellicoe Road! I LOVED that book, this just makes me all the more excited to read it! And Small Great Things gave me a major blurb jolt! Also, Bridget Jones’s Baby! I’ve never read these books, but adored this last movie so much, I bet it’s great. Really need to catch up on those Winston brothers too! Gah! I loved them in Beauty and the Mustache, but I haven’t gotten around to following up yet. Just started Where They Found Her and have 4 days before it goes back! And then the Wrath and the Dawn just came in, and I’ve been waiting soo long! The library for me is a blessing, and a curse. Putting a pause on loans after these two for a while and tackling some of these awesome new releases. Oh! And speaking of new releases…https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Novel-Brit-Bennett/dp/0399184511/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476208617&sr=8-1&keywords=the+mothers This one gave me a huge blurb jolt, but also those editorial reviews have me really excited to try it!

First time poster, long time follower. hahah. But I felt compelled to write. Earlier this week you posted a pre-order that I’ve had sitting on my Kindle for weeks from Netgalley and finally had the courage to read it. It’s called Pull Me Close. I don’t like books with damaged h’s because they make me cry and I hate to cry. Give me a Rom Com anytime of the week, please. Anyway. Christ on a cracker! It was the best book I’ve read this year. I swear, I was reading about myself most of the time. The h has social anxiety and hasn’t left her house but the events are based on like…current things. It’s one of those books you shouldn’t know too much about before going into it. So don’t say anything if you read it! Anyway, it was gooood. now I have a book hangover and am going to grab my usual Rom Com (A little Penny Reid for me). *sniffle sniffle*

I just read Truly by Ruthie Knox. Really good. Hot, sweet, very satisfying romance. First one of a trilogy set in New York. Books 2 and 3 coming out next year. New author to me and I loved it. Check it out, ladies…….

Hello Mia. Nice to hear from a first time poster You have me intrigued about Pull Me Close. Only available on preorder at the mo but I’ll def check out a sample when it’s available. Thanks for the heads-up.

Tasha, I’m not exactly sure what The Bridget Jones new one is, but I have read the first 2 books. Those I enjoyed, particularly #1. However, I have not, and probably won’t read the third one that came out. From spoilers I read it is completely different than the movie.

Jean, Maryse and I are gonna buddy read Crosstalk by Connie Willis. She’s already read the first chap, but I haven’t started it. I’ve had a couple ARC’s to do…and she’s been distracted by shinies LOL! I think we slated the 14th…right Maryse?

Welcome Mia, sounds like you could use Manny and a blankie fort! I’ll even give you one of my Godiva bars just for your book hangover!

Hi Mia!!! *big welcome hug* Don’t be a stranger around here. And thanks for the heads up on Pull Me Close…whenever I hear we shouldn’t know too much before going into a book, it’s like catnip for me.

I was all excited to start All In, but I opened it up today and read the first few lines and… *sigh* I’m not in the right mood for it. What the heck, man?? So I’m giving The Ground Rules another shot and HOLY MOLY!!! This one is kicking my a$$ all the way out of my comfort zone!!

LOVED Patchwhore…will definitely be checking other books by this author…nothing better than a woman scorned seeking “revenge” on her ex…add in a TOTAL biker hottie with a little bit of mystery around him…just DELISH!!!

I picked up Stepbrother Dearest for something different to read while I waited for Crimson Death. I couldn’t put the darn book down! I could have done without the last few chapters – I got a little bored – but overall, really enjoyed it! I’d give it 4 stars!

I am now in Anita’s world! I am still sad where Richard ended up in this series – - – am still holding out hope he one day redeems himself!

So I’m reading It Ends With Us and loving it regardless that I skimmed R’s review….I’m still unsure what happens or the twist and what not…there are 3 things I do know (from R’s review, thank you very much) and I refuse to give in, I shall be surprised…

Thank you so much for sharing my new release, Creatus Animus, with your avid-reading friends. Note: for anyone who hasn’t started the series, the first book, a two-book special edition, if free at all major eBook retailers.

How far in are you Ela? I didn’t say you wouldn’t like it! I just didn’t think it would have *the effect* that made us all go nutso! I’m glad you’re liking it though! And I’m glad you didn’t read my review closely enough to uncover all of it!

Like Mia, I’ve been following for years, but I have also posted a few times, and now, with the events of life, I find that I’m going to have a lot of time on my hands the next 8-12 months and would love to read and also talk about what I’m reading—maybe throw in a suggestion here and there, because telling my hubby about the new, awesome book I just read really isn’t nearly as fun as sharing it with other like-minded readers! lol

Okay, so y’all know about my “cheating H” issues in books…if he does, then he’s dead to me and CANNOT be redeemed. Needless to say, The Ground Rules is tough for me.

But what’s making this worse? I don’t like Gabe. I don’t trust him. I didn’t trust him from the start, before anything had even been proposed by Weston and Bridget. I don’t think he’s been faithful like she has. Just a feeling and could be completely wrong, but it’s just something I’m struggling with right now.

I don’t know. I can’t figure out if I’m enjoying the angst or not. Yeah, doesn’t make sense to me either. *snort*

It’s funny because I knew what this one was about and went in with my eyes open. And, ya know, if you’re going to play with a snake then you shouldn’t cry like a baby b!tch when it bites you. Consider me bitten.

Amy, what is super funny is that I’m petrified of the heartbreaking reads but I actually like cheating *gasp* books! I’m totally weird as I know most of you loathe the cheating books to the fiery pits of hell.

Bev, I have read the two first Bridget Jones books as well. A couple of years ago a third book was released – Bridget Jones: Mad about the boy. I have seen Bridget Jones’ Baby, but not read the book yet. However the storyline of Bridget Jones’ baby happens before “Mad about the boy”. I thought of reading Bridget Jones’ baby, but if you say it is totally different from the movie, then I am not so sure.

A couple of weeks ago I travelled to Germany only to meet up with Colleen Hoover at her book signing i Hamburg. She is awesome Really sweet and took her time to talk to all of us individually.

I just finished “Rainfall” by Melissa Delport. It’s been on my TBR list for a while, and I’ve been making an extra effort these past few months to hit that list hard. It’s now dubbed “The Infinity List.” Lol

Anyways, back to “Rainfall”… just WOOOOOWWWW! I went into this completely blind! I made a promise to myself, not to read any reviews, and I’m SO happy that I didn’t! It’s been a long time since a book has made me weep like a baby, and this one had me SOBBING by the end! I must confess that I have a love/hate relationship with this book. I LOVE the story, but HATE the way it made me feel after reading it. Don’t get me wrong, this is one of the best stories I’ve read in a very long time! It left me with not just a lot of different emotions, but a lot of DEEP feeling emotions. I truly felt this story, all the way to my bones! I will STILL be thinking about this story for quite some time to come! The relationship develops rather quickly in the beginning, but this story isn’t about the falling in love, it’s about the fight to hold onto it. One of the reasons this story is so unique for me is because I usually don’t connect with a H/h if the connection or relationship is too quick. I always go for the slow burn, so I wasn’t quite sure in the beginning, BUT then there’s the twist and THAT”S what got me, hook, line, and sinker! I’ve come across a lot of books over the past few years that I have liked and even loved, I very rarely come across one that truly guts me. Those are the books that I feel for days or weeks, and even after the feeling has faded, it always arises again at the mention of it’s name. I would love to say more about this book, but it could take away from the next reader’s experience. All I can say, is that this is definitely a 5 star read for me! Thank you Ms. Delport for ruffling my feathers and giving me those feels all over again!!! Phew! It’s time for a drink!

Pia, of course. Come to Russia with us.
In regards to Bridget, I thought the movie was supposed to be third book. I didn’t realize that there was a fourth that is supposed to be an earlier time line. The one that came out a few years ago……I just….don’t know if I can.

Hey, to all the new comers. Few rules to all that enter here.
1. To come in first you need to enter the courtyard in Written in Red.
2. You must then drive down the Jellicoe Road.
3. Tell Amy to watch Sherlock if the appropriate moment a rises.

Oh Cristina…I am reliving all of my Rainfall emotions right now after reading your comment. We all (*whispers* except Fabi, who still needs therapy from it) went NUTS over that one. It’s one of those books that causes immediate heartache when I think of it even after all this time. But I miss the old cover.

Leslie…I actually gravitate towards cheating books, when it is the h doing the cheating. Gah! That sounds awful, right? My book moral compass is all kinds of screwed up…

Even though I would go through female circumcision before I would cheat on my hubby (he deserves SO much better than that), I love the angst, tension, and emotional roller coaster in cheating/love triangle books. However, if the H does the cheating and the h still wants to make it work with him…forget it. He is done son, and I won’t be able to see him in any positive way after that. Yes, I have double standards with books that run right alongside my screwed up book moral compass.

Was her comment from this morning? Because it *just* showed up in my inbox as well…

In any case…HI NAY!!!! *big welcome squeeze* And watch out because apparently Maryse’s mommy is doling out head-lock smooches. Definitely keep posting…for me personally that is the best way to start recognizing new ladies around here.

I’ve stopped subscribing because I don’t get the emails until days later.

No real rules.
Just jump in to a buddy read any time and any discussion. Every one was really welcoming to me when I first started.* Maryse has created a really great place here.
I’d say the only thing that would remotely be a rule, an unwritten on maybe, is we try to stay positive with each other. Not always the books, but with each other.

Have to agree I can handle the cheating books better than the “death” of a main character books or non-HEA.

Amy, I know what you mean about Gabe- as soon as you said that I thought of when she looked at his face when he got home and just “knew.” Gah, it hurts at a more visceral level and I think I simply put myself in that position when the H is cheating vs.the h.

R, agree book 3 in TGR series was ridiculous; should have combined book 1 and some of 2 into one book.

Finally! I’ve been watching all day for my post to show since it said it was pending for approval (or something like that).

Guess I’ll start out right off the bat with my screwed up book moral compass as well, because Amy, what you wrote about what type of cheating you enjoy reading about reflects my exact feelings. I was thinking the other day about asking Maryse to post the “What to read after Arsen’ list again, since it’s been over a year, to see which new books could be added. I think I read all of the new-to me books on that list within a week! However, since I am picky about the type I enjoy, I have to admit I didn’t read all of them.

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone!! Along with Maryse, you all have given me many ideas about which good book I should read next over the past few years!

Oh man, that scene was just the sh!t cherry on top of the I-don’t-like-Gabe sundae.

He was just so crass and disrespectful regarding his attraction to others BEFORE they even had their arrangement with the other couple (both in what he would say and Mirella’s musings of him). Maybe it was so we could get a feel for how jealousy was not an issue or how “open-minded” they were in that regard, but it just made me not like him.

Ladies, I’m still grieving over Rainfall! It’s one book I would LOVE to see on the big screen. It would literally having me SOBBING in the theatres, Notebook style.

Grey you SOOOO have to read this one! Don’t forget the wine and tissues!

Amy, Ground Rules was another book/series that invoked some very STRONG feelings in me. That series was a freaking emotional yo-yo for me! It’s one of those situations that you’re saying to yourself, “NO WAY would I EVER do something that crazy!” BUT then you’re so darn curious that you can’t help but want to know what happens!! I just knew it was going to be a train wreck and I willingly and eagerly hopped on for the ride! I literally was yelling at my Kindle, several times over. I’m with you on Gabe, but I didn’t begin to really dislike him until book 2. How far are you into the series?

Oh Grey, regarding NetGalley. It’s a website where you can request books for review. You just have to sign up. I think someone here told me about it. Check it out! I think it started as a site for teachers, librarians, bloggers, etc……and now reviewers. I have gotten a lot of free books there…..I even just got All In yesterday and the new A.M. Madden book, Dark Corners. The more feedback you provide, the more books they’ll give you to review! It’s another addiction! And I love to get a book before it’s released!

Welcome Nay! I love newbies… Sorry I had to post and run this morning, was running super late!

This is an awesome blog, we seriously have so much fun here… No drama…unless you count the struggle over Manny – drama (our beloved manatee that we ‘share’ when we’re having a good cry over a book), or arguing over whose turn it is to make the drinks (always pick Amy *giggle*), other than that… I think they’ve enlightened you about Jellicoe Road and Sherlock and Written in Red and the fact that Maryse, Amy, Tessa, R and I will read anything that will rip your heart out a.k.a. the death books…and make some of the others run screaming. I think that’s about it, except for the most part we try to avoid cursing, although, I have thrown out a couple… *giggle* do you all remember that? Jezebel by K. Larsen that made me throw out an f bomb on the blog at like 2 in the morning… I’m still sorry about that Maryse, LOL!

“Share” Manny! Funny! I haven’t gotten him yet!!! And nooooo on the death books for me. I want my heart ripped apart and then put back together! Unless it’s written by one of my faves, then I’ll read anything

I love jerks too Tessa, especially if they are also broken and need saving! I have Ruin and Rule….hmmmm….. I’ve started to like the sob books more……must be the influences of the lovely ladies on this blog!

Jean It’s really good. I just remember the discussion after Maryse tried to read Fear Me that there was something she really can’t handle, and Amy agreed. That happens in this book, so I have to give the heads up.

I’m guessing some of your issues with Fear Me were the same as mine? I love jerks and I flove dark reads, but if I’m remembering the correct book, this guy was just too much for me. I couldn’t read past 20% because I couldn’t see him redeeming himself in my eyes. I remember reading on here that Maryse and several others were going to read it and wondering how everyone would feel about it, but I never saw the discussion afterward.

Now, Ruin and Rule looks to be right up my alley! I’ll have to add it to Mount TBR!

Yeah, that’s how it was for me. I also love most of these books. Love all the M. Sheehan jerky heroes, even though they do some really scummy things. There was just something about that particular book that I couldn’t handle.

Did anyone else one click, The Tutor? I did, and I’m in the middle of reading it…and phew, I had to stop reading and take a breather, cuz man is it erotic, and I love that broken man!!!! Of course, I can’t read it at work during my down time, cuz well, that’s just not the way I want to be at work, LOL. Just want to know if anyone else is reading along and thinks it’s as amazing as I do!!!

Ooooh Torrid Affair! I read that last month and really enjoyed it. It should be on the ‘What to read after Arsen’ list! It wasn’t at all what I expected and I think that ended up being a very good thing. Enjoy, Ela!

I want to read The Tutor, but since it’s a bit expensive compared to most of the ebooks I buy (and I have KU, so I get many of mine free), I wanted to wait to hear what some of you thought of it. Please keep us posted, Lisa!

“To many, I was myth incarnate, the embodiment of a most superb legend, a fairy tale.” ~ The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton

This book…I don’t even know how to describe it. Magical realism? Contemporary fantasy? He!! if I know. I started it last night, and my first thought was, “what the &$%# am I reading?!?” I almost stopped reading it, but I stuck with it (with a more open mind) and now I’m addicted. No, more like I’m obsessed. This ridiculous, unbelievable story is breaking my heart.

I’m really liking it! The writing it fan-freaking-tastic and that’s the most important thing to me! I really like how she goes back and forth between the past/present and interjects snippets of her therapy sessions. Really well written.

Nay, yes! Another KU user. I love the thing. So many books for so little money. And as Amy said, we do try to warn on some books. But, see! Jean and Grey is like me and was like, woot, reading it! *high fives Jean and Grey*

re: KU, my hubby reads Vietnam fiction, nonfiction and military thrillers and we get 95% of his books through KU, and he goes through them just as quickly as I do at 3-4 books per week. It’s SO worth the $10/month! We’ve been using it ever since the program opened and we’ve never gone a month without getting at least 5 or 6 free books, but it’s usually more like 10-12.

Alright, Ruin and Rule was almost done when I posted. CH, but the second/ last book is already out. However, I currently do not have it, so…

2nd FLT:
‘Over the years, Dougal Keane developed a person rule: Never adventure with people you like.’
Ghost of Avalon by Matt Forebeck and Jeff Grubb

The book is based on the Guild Wars games I play, and my sister-in-law and niece have been telling me I HAVE to read it. The Guild Wars storyline is pretty good, so I’m looking forward to it. Oh, and it doesn’t require playing the game to get it.

I have a friend who likes Erotic Romance, NOT erotica, but hates sad and angst. All angst. I know, right? I’m not even sure how we’re friends LOL. I thought of Tangled, but what are some other ones? I was going to go down Leslie’s book list, but you like angst, right? Any suggestions anyone?

Jan, who doesn’t talk to the characters? *grins* Though my talks are usually more yelling at them. “Just tell her, you jerk!” “Don’t listen to him. He’s the bad guy!” “Stop whining and kiss him already!”

I haven’t read that!! She’s not big on too sweet. She teased me about a teaser I made for All In where I used one of the sweetest lines in the book. We didn’t talk for days! Evil. What’s the cavity level?

I have a ton of those on my read list. But you can’t have any kind of a romance novel without a single drop of angst. Still, many of my favs are low angst. Here are a few, but really, I bet I have tons and tons more.

I totally agree with those additions Cheryl. Some I tried to stay away from because they were a little NA(ish) and I’m pretty sure Erica likes her characters a little older. She writes erotica herself. Excellent erotica novellas in fact.

Yeah, yeah, I know I’m weird to read YA NA and Erotica, but so what, that’s me. All over the place. LOL

I’ll ask Erica! I’ve hounded Ashley before but I think she tries to avoid anything that will take her away from writing. She’s more disciplined than I am! But I’ll keep trying! I think this would be good for her. I tell her stuff all the time about the needs of readers and she asks me where I learn in and I say, the blog, dummy.

When I did my first post yesterday (was it yesterday? lol), I posted at around 9:45 a.m. and my post didn’t show up until around 7:30 pm last night, I think. I was beginning to wonder if I’d done something wrong!

I lurked on here literally for years before I posted yesterday. Have posted once or twice during that time, but I started following Maryse in at least 2011, when all those little gems like Fifty Shades, Beautiful Disaster, Thoughtless and allllll those wonderful Kristen Ashley books first started rolling off the assembly line and before the market became oversaturated with so, so many similar types of books. That was also before facebook became inundated with authors, blogs, books, etc, (as far as I personally knew about anyway). I just noticed that Maryse and I had similar reading tastes and that she had an awesome way of posting new releases and reviews and I was hooked!

OMG, I was just reading through the comments on ‘What to read after Thoughtless’ which was a post I remember checking over and over when Maryse first posted it back in 2012. It’s neat reading all the suggestions, most of them books that became best sellers.

I wonder…did anyone who loved Thoughtless ever really find a book that compares to it?? I haven’t. I read all the ones suggested and many of them were very good or even great, but none of them twisted up my insides like Thoughtless did, and for those of you who are also lovers of angst, you know, the twistier the better!

If you love angst, you need to drop everything and read it now. Tonight! But be warned if this is ‘your kind of book’, you won’t want to put it down! Kellan is one of my favorite heroes ever–he just did tingly things to me. And the book left me with a huge book hangover, but I didn’t mind because I loved it so much! A lot of people didn’t like Kiera, and although I didn’t like some of her actions, that *was* the plot of the book, so they were necessary. I have searched and search for a similar book for 5 years, and I haven’t found anything that even touches it!

I’ll bump it up. A friend of mine, the other one I’m trying to get on here, has been hounding me about it for months. I can’t read it now or Amy would throw water balloons at me and take all my martinis. I’m reading her rec Hausfrau right now.

R. Sorry, got to talking about Thoughtless and thinking about Kellan and lost my head. I’m 50 years old and that book makes be feel like a horny teenager! lol

Anyway, yes, I’m on GR. I don’t go on there much anymore (or I haven’t lately) because I have heart failure and it got really bad last year, but now I’m recovering from having a heart pump implanted and am awaiting a transplant (yay!!), so I’m finally feeling well enough to read and participate again!

Wow! A transplant? how long do you have to wait? We’ll keep you busy with tons of book recs and book chatter. I can imagine you probably haven’t felt up to anything!

Let us know when you get back on GR. Most of us are on there. And MOST of us rate our books (glares at Amy and Cheryl), so you will learn who’s tastes you share and then you can check out their lists for book suggestions.

I go Monday for my first big day of tests from 7:30 am to 5ish pm, and then I guess I’ll be ‘on the list’.

I was in the hospital for a month back in April/May getting this pump implanted, so after that, they told me that the transplant would be a piece of cake and they hope to have it done by Christmas. And I can’t wait! I thought I would read and read the entire time I was in the hospital, but I didn’t read a single page. Don’t know why–I just had no desire to do it, and really, I didn’t get back into reading until a few weeks ago, but now that I’ve started again, I don’t want to stop!

Since we all read similar books, I’m just going to friend as many people here as possible and go through their shelves and rate all the books I see that I’ve read. Since I have over 6000 books on my shelves (can you say ‘bookwhore’??), I’ll never get through them unless I take it by a few small portions at a time. What was I thinking!? lol

I like to think I’ve evolved since I wrote that GR description! Don’t get me wrong, I still love my alpha males if they’re written in the way Kristen Ashley and certain other authors write them, but they’ve been butchered so badly in so many books that they just don’t have the same ‘umph’ for me anymore.

Hmmm…I am not sure when I first started stalking I mean lurking *snort” here…I got a smart phone & nook in 2010, so I’d say 2011. Just started posting regularly recently. I basically get ALL my book info here and GR.

Nay, let’s just get one thing straight…there is NOT and will NEVER be anything written now or until the end of the time as good Thoughtless. *winks*

R, *gives meanest face I can muster* If you haven’t read Thoughtless I’m not sure we can be friends anymore! Seriously?? SER-I-OUS-LY!! Miss “I love all things angsty” ?? *shakes head with disgust*

Jean – I finished The Tutor last night. Overall, I’d give the book a 4. It was at least a 12 in the steamy department, but the overall story could have been a lot more angsty, and the hero himself could have been a lot more broody/dark/damaged for my liking…but holy hotness!! Now, on to Rainfall for something a little different!

Is it a problem when you have 563 books on your waiting TBR list, 4 preorders, and another 400 books on your “Oh, I want to read these, but I really need to get through my TBR list first” list? Please tell me there are others out there that are just this bad!!!! I’m really not even exaggerating. I wish I were – the struggle is real, folks!!

Yes Lisa!! Mine isn’t nearly that bad because if I keep skipping over it when I’m picking a book, I finally delete it from my TBR. I went in the other day and made pricing shelves: free, KU, .99, $2, etc. and that helps me a lot. I throw away vegetables that cost more than some books so if I decide not to read something I paid .99 for, so be it. I’ve also started picking more randomly and if my 30% I’m just not feeling it, I DNF. Life’s too short to waste time on a blah book!

First off…Nay!!! *big hugs* Dang woman, you’ve been through a lot! Sending lots of well wishes your way. We’ll definitely keep you occupied and distracted with books and chatting. Friend me on GR or I’ll find you there.

OMG…Thoughtless!!!! That was my “gateway” book into the world of angst. I have yet to find one (love triangle book) I love as much. Although Arsen is a close second, it’s not really the same so I don’t lump them together.

Lisa…nope, it’s not bad because around here that’s the norm. Friend me on GR and you can see my list of over 2600 “want to read” books…those are books I *actually* have, not just that I want to read. My name on there is Amy_NM.

R. Read Thoughtless! The angst, the emotion, and it is a real rockstar story. I absolutely LOVED it. Kellan is swoon worthy and that first book will knot your tummy into so many knots. It’s one of the best books ever. Go read it! (after Hausfrau)

I just ordered the paperback because it was only $1.20 more than the kindle. It will be here Monday which will be perfect because as of right now my entire weekend will be spent decorating our haunted trail. So don’t think I’m not loving Hausfrau Amy! I’m just strapped for time!

Nay, big hugs!! Wishing you well with your day of testing. You have an LVAD now?

Nay & Lisa friend me on GR.

Amy, Maryse and R- are your ears ringing now? I just finished Full Tilt and I am a SOBBING mess! I kinda *hate* you right now. Beautifully written, but gah I just, ugh, feel so devastated!!! Gonna look at All In…

Nay… Fear Me … I dunno. It just had a “character feel” and writing style that wasn’t connecting with me. The bullies were so revered by everyone as if they were godlike, and had so much power (even though they were so young). But for me, it was that they were SO AWFUL to the girls, and yet the girls just stuck with that group no matter how badly they were treated.

It made me angry. I had to walk away. LOL!!!!

And yet I LOVE a good bully book. I LOVE when the bully is a total anti-social jerk, and potentially unredeemable but something in the writing, or how he slowly becomes an actual hero… that always gets me.

Ah Cheryl, I don’t want to be crying all night! I need to be in the right frame of mind before I start that!

Ummm no Fabi, I am still too chicken for MM (even though I’ve downloaded some). It’s Broken by Willow Winters. But now I’m thinking maybe Unsuitable…..she becomes his maid and he’s a jerk….sounds perfect!

Quick question, does anyone know how to turn off the setting that now when you open a new book it adds it to your Currently Reading on GR. I want to open a couple books just to get a feel from the first few lines, but don’t want them showng up on GR as currently reading……

About Me

I am happily addicted to reading but I need to expend my book energy (especially when one puts me in an emotional frenzy - SO fun!). So, I release my feelings about the stories, by writing them down here. It's my book therapy. [ read more ]